THE EXACT amount of money each pensioner will get as their Winter Fuel Payment has been confirmed by the Department for Work and Pensions.
More than nine million people are set to receive the payment later this year.
The Winter Fuel Payment is a state benefit paid once per year in the United Kingdom to qualifying individuals[/caption]
It is intended to help pensioners with increasing energy bills expected this year[/caption]
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) confirmed eligible people born before September 22, 1959 will automatically receive the funds.
It comes after the previous £300 payment was axed for millions of pensioners last winter and only those on certain benefits qualified.
Payment will be between £100 and £300, to help cover the cost of higher heating bills this winter.
The money will become available to most eligible pensioners in November or December.
Amount is determined by both age and household circumstances of a claimant over the qualifying period, which is the week of September 15 to 21.
Where you were born is also a contributing factor.
Letters can be expected for those excepting it in England and Wales around October or November.
The letter will provide details on how much money you will be offered, as well as which bank account the payment will go into – which is usually the same as where you receive State Pensions or other benefits.
DWP guidance states: “You’ll get a letter in October or November telling you how much Winter Fuel Payment you’ll get, if you’re eligible.
“If you do not get a letter but think you’re eligible, check if you need to make a claim.”
People in Scotland will not get Winter Fuel Payment as the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment has replaced it.
This scheme follows similar eligibility criteria as outlined by the DWP, but will be issued automatically by Social Security Scotland from the end of November.
The GOV.UK website provides further guidance on the scheme and how to be a claim.
It also warns people to be wary about scammers who may send out trick messages that provide a link to click on and make a claim.
Couples are eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment but may be given a different amount[/caption]
These are not official DWP messages and should be deleted.
So those eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment are people living in England and Wales born before September 22, 1959.
You will not be eligible if:
- you live outside England and Wales
- you were in hospital getting free treatment for the whole of the week of September 15-21, 2025 and the year before
- you need permission to enter the UK and granted leave says you cannot claim public funds
- you were in prison for the whole of the week of September 15-21
It is possible for people living in a care home to get the Winter Fuel Payment.
However, there are two factors that if combined mean you will not be eligible.
This is if you are on Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Alloance (JSA) or income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), whilst having lived in a care home during since June 23, 2025 or earlier.
If you live alone, or none of the people you live with are eligible for Winter Fuel Payment:
- you will get £200, if you were born between September 22, 1945 and September 21, 1959
- you will get £300, if you were born before September 22, 1945
If you live with someone else who is eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment:
- £100 if you and the person you live with were both born between September 22, 1945 and September 21, 1959
- £100 if you were born between September 22, 1945 and September 21, 1959 but the person you live with was born before September 22, 1945
- £200 if you were born before September 22, 1945 but the person you live with was born between September 22, 1945 and September 21, 1959
- £150 if you and the person you live with were born before September 22, 1945
Your payment will also be different if you are receiving other benefits payments.
- £200 if you were born between September 22, 1945 and September 21, 1959
- £300 if you were born before September 22, 1945
If you and a partner jointly claim any benefits, one of you will get a Winter Fuel Payment of:
- £200 if both of you were born between September 22, 1945 and September 21, 1959
- £300 if one or both of you were born before September 22, 1945
The money will be paid into the bank account where benefits are usually paid into.
Care home residents that are eligible will get:
- £100 if you were born between September 22, 1945 and September 21, 1959
- £150 if you were born before September 22, 1945
Those with an income of more than £35,000 will have all of their Winter Fuel Payments returned by the HMRC, either through PAYE or submitting a Self Assessment tax return.
The DWP has said: “If you do not get a letter or the money has not been paid into your account by 28 January 2026, contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.”
It is also possible to opt out of the Winter Fuel Payment, either by completing an opt out form by September 14, or calling the helpline before 6pm on September 12.
The Winter Fuel Payment was first introduced by the Labour government in 1997[/caption]